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About The Oregon statesman. (Salem, Or.) 1916-1980 | View Entire Issue (April 10, 1955)
HijJk fegStotmait, UUm. Or., Sunday, April 10, 1 MS ale: Coup le strar 'ear Johnson Claim Starts Boom at Mioit Springs By CHARLES IRELAND Yalle? Editor, The Statesman SILVERTON Did the min erals in the Wilhoit Mineral Springs water that Grandpa drank in the Gay "90s include uranium? A Salem-area man and his-wife are gambling $2,000 and a lot of their time that the answer is -yes." - Nestled in the foothills' of the Cascade Mountains in southwest ern Clackamas County 30 miles northeast of Salem Wilhoit Min eral Springs today is a faded and near-forgotten resort The same of the once-famous leilth spa was revived three weeks ago when 34 mining claims were filed at the Clackamas County Courthouse in Oregon City. Responsible for filing the 34 claims were a former Minnesotan and his red-haired wife who live at Keizer. ( i Practically all of the recent peculation about uranium at Wilhoit Springs can be traced to this couple, Mr, and Mrs. Lester. Johnson. Tried Polk Co. First Over two years ago, the John tons bought a Geiger counter and went -traipsing around the valley in search of the stuff that dreams and A-bombs are made of. "We're great people to get out in the backwoods, anyway," said Mrs. Johnson. ! ' ' Early prospecting by the John tons centered in Polk County. It was a tip that they might find bauxite, rather than uranium,, that first. tent them to Wilhoit Springs; '. Wilhoit Springs is 14 - miles northeast of Silverton via a wind ing, roller coaster country road. Made Many Trips The Johnsons have made num . erous prospecting trips to the area in the past two years. With them they, lugged their Geiger counter, the gadget that has transformed many Americans into weekend prospectors. A Geiger counter (the John- tons recommend purchase of a "good one," costing about $300 new) is a portable device with a needle ; that .flickers on a dial when -radioactive elements are within its range. While most worthwhile depos its .of uranium in the United States have been found in Colo rado and Utah, the Johnsons are convinced ihat Western Oregon , has some, too. - The gyrations of the needle on their Geiger counter at Wilhoit Springs have strengthened their conviction. 'Hot' Reactions - So three weeks ago they filed . claims to mineral rights on the lovernmeht-owned . 1 land where they got some "hot" reactions 4 The law limits one person s claim to 20 'acres. That ' meant Mr. and. Mrs. Johnson could file claim to a total of 40 acres. They decided to cut their friends in on ' the adjacent land. As a result, 34 claims were filed within a few days by the Johnsons and their friends. They report that the 34 claims' com prise all available land in the immediate area. All of the claims are near the .Wilhoit Springs re tort - . Cost of filing a claim is $1 for each 20 acres. This gives the claimant just the mineral rights to the property for one year. The claim is renewable if $10 is spent during the year on development The Johnson's prospecting en tered a ' new phase Saturday when they begar to drill into the ground at a spot their Geiger- eonnter indicated was particu larly "hot" Their home-made drill is pow ered by a 5-horsepower, 140- - pound motor that had the John tons puffing Friday as they lugged it 100 yards from their piek-up truck to the drill site Can Drill 300 Feet They have equipment on hand to drill 300 feet into the earth; Samples of , what they find at various depths will be labeled and tent away o be assayed. Their investment to date they report is "about $2,000." If the Johnsons should strike important quantities of a radio active mineral, they . say they would leave the mining to a big - mining company. They estimate that il would cost several hun dred thousand dollars" to set up a mine. The Johnsons nearest "neigh bor" to the east is Theodore Ma drone, who has had a mine in ch i or U ranM: ii u A if. L ' I; ... M Detroit Lake Boat Concession Aired . SUUsmsa News Service' , v DETROIT Boat-rental con cessions at Detroit Lake were discussed Thursday at a meeting of nearly 50 North Santiam Can yon residents and Alvin Sorseth, Detroit District ranger. Sorseth said no decisions were reached at the meeting. He said the next step ' likely would be the awarding of concessions to several parties. He said the meet ing was held to "get the feeling of the people" about the subject Fire Damages Dallas House ttateoaaji Vcws ferric DALLAS-Fire of undetermined origin Saturday caused consider able damage to the home -of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Otjen, 505 E. Sa lem Road. , The blaze, which started around a bracket type chimney, was dis covered by Otjen about 3:30 p.m. when he returned borne from the family's downtown floral shop. No one was at home prior to the dis covery. , Damage was confined to the up stairs, roof and chimney by the Dallas volunteer fire department The loss whs covered by insurance, it was reported. The Otjens were the victims about four years ago of another fire which almost destroyed their home. ; SILVERTON Erecting home-built drilling rig en his mining claim in Wilhoit Springs area, 14 miles northeast of Silverton is Lester Johnron, 5160 Verda Lane, Salem. Johnson began drilling Satur day for uranium or other radioactive substance that could spell big money. (Statesman Photos) , ADMITTED 'it r. I I, . . -w- - Sister; Schindler Dies at Queen of Angels Convent Mwi tcrvlc Four-H Show Opens May 2 . ? " ' lUtcsnui Ktwt rrf SILVERTON The Marion County 4-H Spring Show will be held May 2-8 at - Silverton Armory-- with Silverton . Junior Chamber at Commerce as spon sor. -"; . ; . - ' A judging contest wille held at the armory on April 23 with cooking, clothing, and homeinak ing judged in the morning and special home economics in the afternoon. April 30 will be spent in preparation for the spring show. :. " " . First demonstrations" will be May 2 from 6:30 to 9:30 p. m. Judging and demonstrations will continue each day at the armory until Thursday when the style revue judging will be held in the Eugene Field auditorium at 1 p. m, followed by the revue at 8. The grand parade will start at 1 p. . m. on closing day of the show. Planning cpmmittee for the spring show includes - Mrs. Mel vin DuRette, Mrs. Okley Mc Creight and Mrs. William Simp son. ; - WiUamina PTA Elects Mrs. John Stktcsmu Nw( tcrrlc WlLLAMINA Mrs. Carl John was elected president of the grade school FTA at its April meeting. Other officers are first vice presi dent, Mrs. LeRoy Elliott; second vice president, Mrs. Paul Yoder; secretary, Mrs; James Monaco; treasurer, Mrs. George Weber. The 40-piece grade school, band entertained the group. Mrs. Grace Herzberg's sixth grade room won the award for having most parents present At the May meeting,', the new officers win be installed. MT. ANGEL Sister Stanislauf Schindler died Friday at Queen of Angels Convent here after a three-year illness. She was born in Wollentzhoven, Bavaria, Germany, March 22, 1875, came to the United States in 1889, and made her religious profession here in 1891. For many years she performed domestic tasks at the convent ( and its branch houses. Surviving are a brother, George Schindler, Ocean Lake; several ' nieces and nephews in cluding Mrs. Teressa Koch, Sa lem, Sister Ma-y Schindler, Mrs. Victoria Susee and Martin Schind ler, all of Mt. Angel. Services will be at 9:45 a.m. Monday in the convent chapel with Father Sebastian Terhaar officiating. Interment will be at the convent cemetery under di rection of Unger Mortuary. Woodburn BPW Club Elects New Slate of Officers SUtesmst News Service WOODBURN Elected' at the meeting of Business and Profes sional Women's Club Thursday night were the following officers: president. Mrs. J. A. Evans; first vice president, Marie Thompson; second vice president, Viola Farm er: recording' secretary, Mrs. Wal ter Miller: corresponding secre tary, Mrs. Tom Baldwin; trea surer, Mrs. 0. J. Adkinson. Installation will be held June 16 at a dinner meeting. Delegates were Mrs. Evans, Marie Thomp club at a state convention to be held in Salem this month. They were appointed to represent the son, Mrs. George Timm, and Mrs Clara Stange, outgoing president. The next meeting will be a social dinner meeting in the El liott Prairie district, April 21 at 7 p. m. at the home of Mrs. Paul Burkert Egg Hunt Today In Mil City Park . Statesman News Strvict MILL CITY Boy Scout Troop 49 will have charge of an Easter Egg hunt in the City Park at 1 p.m. Sunday, according to Scout master Elmer Steiner. Those participating will be di vided into four age groups, six years and under, six to- eight, children from , eight to 10, and youngsters from 10 to 11 Those who find "lucky" eggs-will.be awarded prizes. . $25,000 Sheridan Reservoir Approved Statesman News Scrvic ... SHERIDAN The City Council has approved construction of a new water reservoir for the city water department The new $25.- 000 reservoir will increase capacityl by 250,000 gallons. Adequate stor age has long been a problem due to increased consumption. J Brother Suda Dies at Abbey Statesman News Jcrrica - lMT. ANGEL Brother ttxninic Suda died in his sleep early Sat urday at Mt Angel Abbey where he had professed his Benedictine vows in 1934. He was 41. r Born Jan. 20, 1914, at Winnipeg, Canada, he was christined Frank Suda and later moved to Salinas, Calif..- entering the monastery here in 1932. He later worked for two years at the monastery's Indian Mission . in British Columbia. He also was mail carrier (or several years at the abbey. Survivors include a brother, Joe Suda, Salinas: and a sister, Mrs. John Dwyer, San Francisco. Serv ices will be at 8:15 a.m. Tuesday at the Abbey Church following rites of divine office of the dead at 7:23. Interment will be at Abbey Cemetery under direction of Un ger Mortuay. Births At Valley Hospitals BOY'S FTE INJURED SHERIDAN Arvid Ebnan, f, is in a Portland hospital with ser idus injuries to his eye, received in a game, when a pointed stick in jured the eye. ' . Fully Adjustable TO YOUR OWN COMFOIT SUteimam Newt Service' ., STAYTON To Mrs. Roselle My ers and the late Jerry E. Meyers, Idanha. a daughter, April 7, at Santiam Memorial Hospital. NAITII MODIl t IXICUTIVI rOSTUll CHAIt Harter's executive .posture chair fits you perfectly and person ally because vou adiust it tn fit! Simnle hanrl-whppl rnntrnlc turn the trick. No more backache and fatigue caused by straight-backed, nnn-nHiuctnhlA hnirit Model 66 is upholstered in rich, long-wearing mohair fabric. Wide choice of colors. Soft foam rubber cushions on seat, back rest, and arms. Smooth and silent swivel-and-tilt action. Steel construction. Drop in and try' Harter's ex ecutive posture chair. It's a real treat in office comfort MRS. GILHAM RECUPERATING VICTOR POINT Mrs. James Gilham is reported making satis factory recovery from major sur gery at a Salem hospital. Polk County Court News DALLAS The following com plaint was on file Saturday in Polk County Circuit Court: Dor othy Bergstrom vs. Philip Berg strom; Plaintiff alleges cruel and inhuman treatment seeks divorce and custody of . two minor chil dren, $100 monthly child support Married Sept 22, 1935 at Coler ain, Minn. SILVERTON Talk of uranium deposits has failed to impress Theodore Mandrones, shown standing at entrance to shaft of mine he operates adjacent to the Johnson claims in Wilhoit Springs area. Mandrones tells product of bis mine at toil builder. operation for many years. .' With his own hands, Madrone has burrowed a shaft 2,000 feet into the hills. But he is interest ed primarily in a peat-like sub stance which is used as a . soil builder. - , Madrone takes a fatherly-tolerant attitude toward the newcom ers and the talk about potential ly rich veins of uranium at Wil hoit Madrone has mined in the area for 15 years. He has learned a lot of geology the hard way. He says somebody else can make the first uranium strike. Until they do, he's skeptical. Meanwhile, the Clackamas County clerk's office reports that publicity given the Johnson fil ings has prompted -many inquir ies and a few independent filings in the southern part - of the county. Named for Daughter The Johnsons have chosen the name Lucky Linda Mining Claims for their holdings. They have a daughter, Linda, at North Salem High School. . A brother of Mrs. Johnson called his World War II fighter plane Lucky Linda, and it re turned nun saiely xrom every mission. . The Johnsons expect to be fly ing high, too, if . they can get their Lucky Linda mining operation off the ground. now We will( be pleased to serve your banking needs and become acquainted with you at our tempor ary location at 320 N. Church Street. soon All Conveniences al One Location ample parking two drive-in windows day & night depository sidewalk teller windows safe deposit boxes k microfilm protection personalized checks neighborly service To Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cox, Av VAjM Aumsville route 1, a daughter, I rl4lW I A: n t c-t:. . it :-i tt ! k , I J I'l l I to increased consumption. J pitaL i " s mm w & v - sp m Your Hometown Bank Bank Personal The Bank of SIMIII IlliUl tirOIII INIWIANCI COirOIATIOM 320 NORTH ,CHUICH STREET Or I I Urn. n o Or O Cbasv RJ DRS. CHAN and LAM CHINKSE NATUROPATHS Upttairs. 40? Court St Offla apca Smturda miy. t I 9.m.i I If 1 ii CoanlutlcB bioad mmn aat artao smU m trc f eta km ermetleod due Ull Writ far attrMtm tatx. tu ntten. LOCKER BEEF Grain-Fed Beef .1 . Double AA Young Steer Beef Beef Roast Doable Wrapped Beef Steak , Donb . 22c lb. . 30c lb. . . 25c lb. e Wrapped. . 35c . . . . . 25c lb. 1325 South 25lh SI. uisenbM Prescription Pharmacy Salem 4-3336 Opea Until 11 PJ. 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